Cost Estimator salary in Charleston, WV
Cost Estimators in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $79,300 a year ($38.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,330 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 2% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $77,480. There are 1.1 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $84,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| 25th percentile | $50,350 | $24.21 |
| Median | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| 75th percentile | $123,110 | $59.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,330 | $61.70 |
| Average (mean) | $84,920 | $40.83 |
Half of cost estimators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,608.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,304.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,050 |
| Weekly | $1,525 |
| Hourly | $38.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cost Estimator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,330 | 3,780 |
| Morgantown, WV | $76,690 | n/a |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $75,720 | 100 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $75,350 | 170 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $74,990 | 30 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $71,640 | 40 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $70,690 | 120 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $64,240 | 90 |
| Beckley, WV | $53,470 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for cost estimators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $100,840 |
| Alaska | $97,020 |
| Wyoming | $90,790 |
| Colorado | $86,940 |
| Washington | $86,070 |
| California | $85,460 |
| Illinois | $82,750 |
| District of Columbia | $82,730 |
| Nevada | $82,200 |
| Rhode Island | $81,990 |
See Cost Estimator pay in every state or the West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| Compliance Officer | $54,520 | $26.21 |
| Project Management Specialist | $89,600 | $43.08 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $63,560 | $30.56 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $50,490 | $24.27 |
| Management Analyst | $94,210 | $45.29 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $98,380 | $47.30 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| Logistician | $66,300 | $31.88 |
| Fundraiser | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $36,460 | $17.53 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Charleston, WV?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Charleston, WV metro area is $79,300 a year, or $38.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $128,330 a year. The top 25% earn $123,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,060 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $50,350 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Charleston, WV?
About 110 cost estimators are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.